1. How can the NHS improve care for autistic people or people with a learning disability?

    News -

    Share your views to help improve support for people with a learning disability or autism in your area.

  2. Three ways the NHS can help autistic people or people with learning disabilities have a say

    News -

    Healthwatch volunteer June thinks services should support autistic people or people with a learning disability to share their feedback. Take a look at her top tips.

  3. The Children and Families Act: five years on

    News -

    We take a look at the work Healthwatch have been doing with young people, and their families, to find out how health and education services are working together for people with additional needs.

  4. More focus needed on how people travel to and from NHS services

    News -

    Together with two leading charities, we are raising awareness of the issues people facing travelling to and from NHS services. We will be working with NHS England to support their new national review of the links between the NHS and local transport.

  5. What do people think of autism services for children and young people?

    News -

    There are around half a million people in England on the autism spectrum.

  6. Four ways your views are helping to improve care for people with autism

    News -

    Around 700,000 people in the UK are autistic and it's vital that health services meet their needs. Here's four ways your views have been making sure people with autism are listened to.

  7. Faster diagnosis for those with autism

    News -

    Autism diagnosis waiting times was the top complaint received at Cheshire East Clinical Commissioning Group. The local Healthwatch listened to over 200 carers to find out more about their experiences.

  8. Volunteer shares experiences of Asperger’s Syndrome to encourage young people to speak up

    News -

    A 24-year-old woman in Dorset has been leading the charge in helping health and care services in the county understand the issues affecting young people.

  9. What have people been telling us: July - September 2019

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care from July to September this year.

    This briefing also looks at emerging themes across services and examines what people have been telling us about support for incontinence.

  10. Six ways we can improve services for people with autism

    News -

    For most people, going to the doctor or dentist is a routine experience. However, if you have autism, accessing health and care support can be a difficult and stressful experience.

  11. Every Voice Matters - our Annual Report to Parliament 2015-16

    News -

    Published today, Every Voice Matters, our Annual Report to Parliament 2015-16, outlines how together we are putting people at the heart of care.

  12. Autism services for children and young people - findings from the Healthwatch network

    Report -

    Our new report highlights the four most common issues that people have told local Healthwatch they want to see improve.

  13. An open letter to NHS England to improve the Accessible Information Standard

    Response -

    We have written a letter to NHS England to express our disappointment at the lack of progress in reviewing the legally-binding Accessible Information Standard.

  14. Self advocacy success as breast screening recall letters available in easy-read nationwide

    News -

    When one person advocates for themselves for better health care and improved accessibility, we all benefit.

  15. What to expect after being referred for an autism assessment

    Advice and Information -

    Autism affects people in different ways. It can bring strengths and challenges that can affect how comfortable, healthy, and happy you feel. Here's what you should expect from an autism assessment, diagnosis and getting the proper support.

  16. The challenges neurodivergent people face receiving care

    Blog -

    Neurodiversity is a word used to describe the different thinking styles that affect how people communicate with the world around them. It includes dyslexia, autism, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's Syndrome and more. Neurodivergent people encounter challenges accessing services which meet their needs.

  17. ADHD and autism: Tackling the long wait for support

    Blog -

    Long wait times for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) support can have a severe impact on individuals. We look at what people have already told us and urge you to come forward if you have been affected.

  18. Making sure GPs provide information in a way that people can understand

    News -

    After being told by patients that local GPs weren’t meeting the needs of patients with communication difficulties, one local Healthwatch decided to take action.

  19. Three common issues homeless people face when trying to access care

    News -

    With thousands of people at risk of homelessness this winter, we look at the common issues people who do not have a place to call home tell us they can face when it comes to health and care.

  20. What matters most: Four things people want from care

    News -

    Since 2014, we’ve heard from 1.4 million people about what it’s like to use NHS and social care services. Our latest annual report to Parliament highlights what changes you want to see and how together we're making a difference.

  21. Where can I get help for health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  22. Helping you find answers

    News -

    To give you an idea of some of the ways we’ve helped, take a look at our round up of the top questions people ask us.

  23. New Long Term Plan is "just the start"

    News -

    The NHS in England has published a ten year plan setting its priorities for the future.

  24. Making it easier to access NHS services in Redbridge

    Blog -

    Despite the publication of the Accessible Information Standard nearly three years ago, people continue to tell Healthwatch about their struggle to access NHS services. Find out how Healthwatch Redbridge have been making a difference.

  25. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    You've told us that you've experienced problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what to do if you're refused the right to register.

  26. Why are people struggling to get their medication?

    News -

    We look at one of the issues people raise with Healthwatch and the steps GPs and Pharmacists can take to help people get the medication they need.

  27. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  28. Our response to new CQC research on people's experience of raising a complaint

    Response -

    New research from the Care Quality Commission shows that people regret not raising concerns about their care - but those who do raise concerns see improvements.

  29. Four ways empathy can improve patient care

    Blog -

    It’s vital that patients are treated with compassion, and that professionals are empowered to show it. We look at four ways services can be more empathetic to improve care.

  30. What people have told us about health and social care: January to March 2019

    Report -

    Find out what the public have been telling us about health and social care from January - March this year.

  31. Healthwatch responds to the independent review into gross negligence manslaughter and culpable homicide

    Response -

    Leslie Hamilton and his working group have published their independent review into how the laws on gross negligence manslaughter and culpable homicide are applied to medical practice. Read our response.

  32. Our response to the latest GP patient survey

    Response -

    We share our response to the latest figures from the GP patient survey.

  33. Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

    News -

    Help make sure that your practice meets patient's accessibility requirements by using this quick checklist.

  34. How easy to use are services if you have a sensory impairment?

    News -

    In the UK, almost 2 million people are living with sight loss. Find out what people have told us it is like using NHS services when you have a sensory impairment or loss.

  35. Six ways health services can improve waiting rooms

    News -

    Here are six steps that people have told us health and social care services can take to provide a better environment while they wait.

  36. Shortlist showcase - Championing diversity and inclusion

    News -

    With a diverse population, it’s important that local services understand what their communities need, and that they don’t try and follow a one size fits all approach. Take a look at who has been shortlisted for our Diversity and Inclusion award.

  37. Why getting personal is important when it comes to health and care

    News -

    Read a summary of our latest research to find out why personalised care is important.

  38. What people have told us about health and social care: April to June 2019

    Report -

    Find out what the public have been telling us about health and social care from April to June this year.

  39. How to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at our top tips to make the most of your GP appointment.

  40. Would you use a pharmacist instead of visiting your GP for advice?

    News -

    One in three people said yes when asked this question in a recent England wide poll. We spoke to Healthwatch Cornwall to find out more about changing attitudes to pharmacy services.

  41. What are people’s concerns about proposed changes to NHS prescriptions?

    News -

    With one week left to respond to NHS proposals to curb prescriptions for certain treatments available over the counter, find out about the concerns the public have shared with us.